Cool Ferris wheels around the world

June 15, 2012 7:08 PM

Photo: ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images

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In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office, Thursday is an artist's rendering of a proposed 625-foot Ferris wheel, billed as the world's largest, planned as part of a retail and hotel complex along the Staten Island waterfront in New York. The attraction, called the New York Wheel, will cost $230 million. Officials say the observation wheel will be higher than the Singapore Flyer, the London Eye, and a "High Roller" wheel planned in Las Vegas. Beyond the wheel is the Manhattan skyline. (AP Photo/Office of the Mayor of New York) less

In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office, Thursday is an artist's rendering of a proposed 625-foot Ferris wheel, billed as the world's largest, planned as part of a retail and hotel complex along ... more

Photo: Associated Press

In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office,... Photo-3514673.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office on Thursday, is an artist's rendering of a proposed 625-foot Ferris wheel, billed as the world's largest, planned as part of a retail and hotel complex along the Staten Island waterfront in New York. The attraction, called the New York Wheel, will cost $230 million. Officials say the observation wheel will be higher than the Singapore Flyer, the London Eye, and a "High Roller" wheel planned in Las Vegas. Beyond the wheel is the Manhattan skyline. On the lower right is the Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the Staten Island Yankees. (AP Photo/Office of the Mayor of New York) less

In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office on Thursday, is an artist's rendering of a proposed 625-foot Ferris wheel, billed as the world's largest, planned as part of a retail and hotel complex ... more

Photo: Associated Press

In this image released by the New York Mayor's Office on... Photo-3514672.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The London Eye, at 443 feet
high, is the tallest Ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere. It opened
in 1999. It's seen here illuminated on the banks of the River Thames in
London, England.

The London Eye, at 443 feet
high, is the tallest Ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere. It opened
in 1999. It's seen here illuminated on the banks of the River Thames in
London, England.

The London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel when it opened, but it's since been surpassed. It's still considered the world's tallest cantilevered wheel, meaning its A-frame support is on just one side of the wheel. It's pictured during England's Diamond Jubilee on June 3. less

The London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel when it opened, but it's since been surpassed. It's still considered the world's tallest cantilevered wheel, meaning its A-frame support is on just one side of the ... more

Photo: Scott Heavey, Getty Images

The London Eye was the tallest Ferris wheel when it opened, but... Photo-3075942.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The London Eye features enclosed capsules on the rim, which rotate electronically and independently of the wheel.

The London Eye features enclosed capsules on the rim, which rotate electronically and independently of the wheel.

Photo: WPA Pool, Getty Images

The London Eye features enclosed capsules on the rim, which rotate... Photo-3075947.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The London Eye has 32 capsules that each hold 25 passengers. It revolves at a leisurely 0.6 mile an hour.

The London Eye has 32 capsules that each hold 25 passengers. It revolves at a leisurely 0.6 mile an hour.

Photo: Oli Scarff, Getty Images

The London Eye has 32 capsules that each hold 25 passengers. It... Photo-3075949.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel at 541 feet high. Soon after it opened in 2008, the direction of the wheel's rotation was reversed, because feng shui experts said the wheel was taking fortune away from the city. The capsules originally rose over the business district and descended over the sea. less

The Singapore Flyer is the world’s tallest Ferris wheel at 541 feet high. Soon after it opened in 2008, the direction of the wheel's rotation was reversed, because feng shui experts said the wheel was taking ... more

When the 394-foot-high Southern Star opened in Melbourne, Australia in 2009, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere. It also tied for fourth tallest wheel in the world. But the Southern Star soon closed over structural concerns. Owners have since decided to rebuild a new wheel. less

When the 394-foot-high Southern Star opened in Melbourne, Australia in 2009, it was the tallest Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere. It also tied for fourth tallest wheel in the world. But the Southern Star ... more

Photo: Robert Cianflone, Getty Images

When the 394-foot-high Southern Star opened in Melbourne, Australia... Photo-3076096.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Where can you ride a Ferris wheel in little Hansel-and-Gretel-like houses? At Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Where can you ride a Ferris wheel in little Hansel-and-Gretel-like houses? At Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.

Photo: CHRISTOF STACHE, AFP/Getty Images

Where can you ride a Ferris wheel in little Hansel-and-Gretel-like... Photo-3076097.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Ferris wheel is a main attraction at Munich's Theresienwiese fairground during the annual Oktoberfest festival, one of the world's largest beer festivals.

The Ferris wheel is a main attraction at Munich's Theresienwiese fairground during the annual Oktoberfest festival, one of the world's largest beer festivals.

Photo: TORSTEN SILZ, AFP/Getty Images

The Ferris wheel is a main attraction at Munich's... Photo-3076098.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Santa Monica Pier debuted a new, $1.5-million, solar-powered Ferris wheel in 2008, replacing its old wheel that was built in 1996. The new wheel stands 85 feet high and is equipped with 160,000 LED lights for some pretty cool evening displays. less

The Santa Monica Pier debuted a new, $1.5-million, solar-powered Ferris wheel in 2008, replacing its old wheel that was built in 1996. The new wheel stands 85 feet high and is equipped with 160,000 LED lights ... more

The Big O, in Tokyo, is the world's first centerless Ferris wheel. Tokyo's largest roller coaster, "Thunder Dolphin," goes through the 200-foot-tall wheel.

The Big O, in Tokyo, is the world's first centerless Ferris wheel. Tokyo's largest roller coaster, "Thunder Dolphin," goes through the 200-foot-tall wheel.

Photo: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO, AFP/Getty Images

The Big O, in Tokyo, is the world's first centerless Ferris... Photo-3076106.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Cosmo Clock 21, in Yokohama, Japan, was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel when it opened in 1989. It was relocated a decade later to a taller base, making its current height of 369 feet. It still has the world’s largest clock. less

The Cosmo Clock 21, in Yokohama, Japan, was the world’s tallest Ferris wheel when it opened in 1989. It was relocated a decade later to a taller base, making its current height of 369 feet. It still has the ... more

Every winter, a Ferris wheel opens at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, the site of one of the most famous transportable wheels -- the 197-feet Roue de Paris, a ride installed at the site for the 2000 millennium. less

Every winter, a Ferris wheel opens at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, the site of one of the most famous transportable wheels -- the 197-feet Roue de Paris, a ride installed at the site for the 2000 ... more

Photo: GABRIEL BOUYS, AFP/Getty Images

Every winter, a Ferris wheel opens at the Place de la Concorde in... Photo-3076115.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The nearly 175 foot-tall Ferris wheel being constructed at the end of Pier 57 on the Seattle waterfront will begin operation by July 4. Each car has heating and air conditioning, and the wheel can be operated year-round. The massive wheel dramatically changes the Seattle skyline as seen from the water. less

The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The nearly 175 foot-tall Ferris wheel being constructed at the end of Pier 57 on the Seattle waterfront will begin operation by July 4. Each car has ... more

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. The... Photo-3076118.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Seattle Great Wheel owner Hal Griffith, center rear, Brian Bilanski, right, and Hunter Herrin, left, try out the seats in a gondola about to be attached to the Seattle Great Wheel on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

Seattle Great Wheel owner Hal Griffith, center rear, Brian Bilanski, right, and Hunter Herrin, left, try out the seats in a gondola about to be attached to the Seattle Great Wheel on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

A worker wheels a gondola into place under the Seattle Great Wheel on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

A worker wheels a gondola into place under the Seattle Great Wheel on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

A worker wheels a gondola into place under the Seattle Great Wheel... Photo-3076120.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

Photo: JOSHUA TRUJILLO

The Seattle Great Wheel is shown on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Photo-3076121.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Seattle's Great Wheel is on the waterfront. Six people can fit on a gondola (eight if they're small kids) and the gondola weight limit is 1,300 pounds. (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com file)

Seattle's Great Wheel is on the waterfront. Six people can fit on a gondola (eight if they're small kids) and the gondola weight limit is 1,300 pounds. (Joshua Trujillo/seattlepi.com file)

Seattle's Great Wheel is on the waterfront. Six people can fit... Photo-3293831.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle Great Wheel as it takes a few turns on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle Great Wheel as it takes a few turns on Wednesday, June 27, 2012. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle... Photo-3128803.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle Great Wheel. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle Great Wheel. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The Seattle waterfront is seen from the top of the new Seattle... Photo-3128807.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Hal Griffith, owner of Seattle's Pier 57, rides on the new Seattle Great Wheel on June 27, 2012. The observation wheel on the Seattle waterfront takes riders more than 175 feet over Puget Sound, offering a view of the Seattle waterfront. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM) less

Hal Griffith, owner of Seattle's Pier 57, rides on the new Seattle Great Wheel on June 27, 2012. The observation wheel on the Seattle waterfront takes riders more than 175 feet over Puget Sound, offering a ... more

The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. The observation wheel on the Seattle waterfront takes riders more than 175 feet over Puget Sound, offering a new view of the Seattle waterfront. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM) less

The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. The observation wheel on the Seattle waterfront takes riders more than 175 feet over Puget Sound, offering a new view of the Seattle waterfront. (JOSHUA ... more

The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. The... Photo-3128806.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. (JOSHUA TRUJILLO / SEATTLEPI.COM)

The new Seattle Great Wheel is shown on June 27, 2012. (JOSHUA... Photo-3129408.44561 - Beaumont Enterprise

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A night scene of the now-defunct Fun Forest at Seattle Center -- site of the 1962 World's Fair -- in Seattle, with the Ferris wheel, the Yo-Yo, Galaxie roller coaster and Flight to Mars.

A night scene of the now-defunct Fun Forest at Seattle Center -- site of the 1962 World's Fair -- in Seattle, with the Ferris wheel, the Yo-Yo, Galaxie roller coaster and Flight to Mars.